More than 35,000 Ethiopians will be repatriated home from KSA soon: MFA

Addis Ababa, March 17, 2022 (FBC) – The spokesperson of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Ambassador Dina Mufti, has gaven the Ministry’s biweekly press briefing to the media.

In his presentation, the Ambassador focused on political diplomacy, with special attention to the Ethiopia-China relationship, and the appointment of new ambassadors following the spirits of the institutional reform. Economic and citizen-centered diplomatic activities over the week are also included.

Ambassador Dina indicated that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen, and State Minister, Ambassador Redwan Hussien had meetings with high-level government officials over the week indicating the ever-growing relationship between Ethiopia and China.

“During his meeting with China’s Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Xue Bing, Demeke commended China’s constructive position on the GERD favoring the principle of African Solution to African Problems and all the COVID-19 related supports,” the Spokesperson said.

Appreciated China’s commitment to development on the African continent and requested expedited approval of Ethiopia’s projects which were submitted under the FOCAC framework.

Demeke gave a briefing on the encouraging decisions taken by the government to ensure peace in the country and Ethiopia’s commitment to resolving its border issue with Sudan in a peaceful manner.

Chinese Special Envoy said China wants to support countries in the Horn to address the challenges of security, development, and governance and pursue a path of unity and self-improvement, Dina stated.

Xue Bing mentioned China’s efforts to enhance railway and port developments in the region, commitments to the Belt and Road Initiative, and the FOCAC agreements to accelerate regional revitalization through development, according to the Spokesperson.

State Minister Ambassador Redwan Hussien and Assistant Foreign Minister of China, Deng Li on Tuesday held the second Ethiopia-China political Consultation via teleconference.

The two sides exchanged views on bilateral, regional, and multilateral issues of common concern, further pledging to strengthen their Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative partnership.

Ambassador Redwan urged China to encourage the government of Sudan to solve its border dispute with Ethiopia amicably, encourage downstream states of the Nile to continue negotiating under the auspices of the AU, while appreciating the Chinese proposal to support Ethiopia to host a regional level peace conference that promotes peace and stability in the region.

The two sides expressed their commitment to further cooperate in international fora, mentioning vibrant cooperation between the two rejecting unilateral sanctions in the UN Security Council and Human Rights Commission’s sessions that threatened to compromise the territorial integrity and sovereignty of nations under the pretext of Human Rights violation.

The Spokesperson further stated that Ethiopia has deployed newly appointed Ambassador and Deputies of Head of Missions to 29 countries.

Various efforts are underway to avoid approval of the HR 6600 draft bill proposed by Congressman Tom Malinowski to sanction Ethiopia, he said.

Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia held a peaceful demonstration in front of the office of Congressman in New Jersey, Tom Malinowski. The demonstrators opposed HR6600 which poses a serious threat to the Ethiopian economy and military establishments through imposing harsh sanctions, he said.

More than 35 thousand Ethiopians in Saudi Arabia have registered to get back home. It is to be recalled that the Ministerial Committee established to facilitate the repatriation and rehabilitation of Ethiopians from Saudi Arabia has decided to repatriate more than 100,000 Ethiopians within three weeks.

Regarding the recent allegation by the Chief of the WHO, the Spokesperson said that Dr. Tedros Adhanom is not equally addressing circumstances, calling him to avoid bias equally denounce damages seek possible solutions to the problems without bias.

International Partners with support of the government are delivering medical supplies, nutritional foods and supports to the region with air flights, he said.

Ethiopia is still working hard to ensure unfettered humanitarian access to northern parts of the country despite the blockade caused by fresh attacks of invasion of the TPLF in Ab’ala and other parts of Afar Region, which was the inlet to Tigray Region.